By Kirsten Page
Copyright 1999
...I can’t help but dream of the day when I won’t have to dress like a boy anymore. I mean my life is great, but there’s always that envy I have when some fine lady strolls into town. Really though, I have such a good life here that I can’t complain.
Once again, those precious words that Louise had written into the confidence of her journal echoed through Kid’s mind. He could see her sitting on her bunk at night, the end of her pencil between her teeth as she sat in thought. They had all been curious as to what she might be composing, but none of them dared to disturb what little privacy she had with nosey questions.
Now, he knew what was so carefully embroidered into the pages. Somehow he felt closer to her now, knowing some of the feelings that she had kept tucked inside. It didn’t take away the pain, but in a strange way it was a constant source of comfort.
Without really thinking about where he was, Kid walked straight into the bunkhouse and nearly collided with Cole. It took all of his willpower not to give him another swift punch for good measure, just for being there.
“Sorry, Kid,” he offered casually.
Kid ignored him, and went over to his bunk where he had begun to sort and pack his things. There wasn’t one single thing that he liked about that man, and it showed.
Cole took a step closer, “Look, I know we’ve had our differences, but there’s no reason why we can’t try to be friends in this.”
That was all it took. He just needed a little prompting, and in a split second Kid was face to face with him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t like you. I’ve never liked you. You just stick to doing your job, and we’ll both do fine. Understand?”
With a smug look, Cole nodded. He couldn’t help not liking the man. There had always been something that he admired in a person...an attitude. Especially the type of attitude that brought upon controversy. It was a challenge for him to try and see how many different ways he could aggravate men like Kid. “Sure, whatever you say.”
Kid didn’t trust the way he so willingly agreed. He was sure of one thing though...the sooner that he could get out of here, the happier he was going to be. If Cole was going to be staying on full-time, he REALLY wanted out. There was no way that he would promise that he wouldn’t kill him if he remained.
Buck rode hard and fast. It felt like he was riding slower than he ever had in his life, although his horse would have strongly disagreed. The wind was blowing from behind, and it was apparent that a storm was in the works. Just let me get to St. Joseph, Buck pleaded with the gray clouds.
Then, as if it had popped up from the ground, the city appeared. It was a very welcomed sight. Now he was possibly one step closer to completing his mission. He just hoped that he would be in time to get what he needed before Kid left. That is if what he needed even existed.
He carefully replayed Teaspoon’s instruction’s in his mind. It all must be carried out to the letter if he was to be successful. The last thing that he wanted to do was let his best friends down.
“What did she tell you, huh?” Wayne shook her shoulders, snapping her stiff neck back.
“Nothing! She just asked me if I knew what time it was,” Lou said, cringing at what a weak answer that had been. She was angry with herself for not being able to stand up to him and the way he was handling her so fiercely.
Wayne released her quickly and pushed her back. Lou bit her lip at the agony that his ruff treatment brought upon. “Don’t let me ever catch you two talking again. I swear I’ll kill you both.”
Regardless of what he said to her, she was going to speak to that girl. Maddie was going to be her only hope of escape, and if it was possible, she was going to try and make her break tonight. That is if she could get away from Wayne for five minutes. He was watching her like a hawk.
“Are you sure that this is all you have?” Buck asked as he looked over the information and old newspapers. Cole’s name had come up in a few of the archived materials, but still there was nothing grand enough for a conviction to be attained in court. They needed something more substantial...something that wouldn’t require an explanation, and could stand on its own.
The older woman who had been helping him was as courteous as she could be. “Well, there’s another file of things over here, maybe there will be something in that.”
Buck nodded, “Let’s check it.”
Within just a few moments, he began plowing through piles of papers, looking for any traces of evidence that he could find. He didn’t want to have to ride back and be the bearer of bad news, so he was going to do whatever it took to find something that was beneficial to their fight against the hardships that now seemed to be dominating their lives.
“Sweetheart, I’d like for you to meet an old friend of mine,” Wayne brought his ‘companion’ to the table and had him sit next to her.
In Lou’s opinion, the man was disgusting, although right now there probably wouldn’t be very many in the room that she wouldn’t find that way. He smiled at her, and that made it worse.
“This is Trevor Brady,” Wayne continued the introductions. “And he would like to get to know you a lot better.”
“Well, it seems like these are all just old warrants. Probably won’t find anything helpful here,” the woman kindly offered. She admired the gentleman’s efforts and determination. Still, there was nothing more that she could do.
Buck solemnly acknowledged. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to stay and continue to look through these.” He refused to give up so easily. I think some of Lou’s stubbornness has rubbed off on me, he thought to himself with a inward chuckle of admiration at her memory.
If nothing else he was going to stay and find out all that he could for Lou’s sake. He figured that he owed her dear, precious life at least that much.
On to Chapter Seventeen
